ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza has affirmed that Pakistan did not seek or receive any external assistance during the recent 96-hour military confrontation with India. Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Gen Shamshad emphasized that Pakistan’s response was fully based on its internal capabilities.
No Foreign Support in Recent Engagement
Addressing circulating reports about foreign involvement, including claims of satellite intelligence provided by allies like China, the general clarified, “The equipment we used was either developed domestically or acquired beforehand. But in real-time, it was Pakistan’s own capability that came into play.” He further stated, “We fought the entire conflict with our own resources. No help came from anywhere.”
Nature and Scope of the Conflict
Gen Shamshad provided rare official commentary on the brief yet intense military standoff between the nuclear-armed neighbours, noting that unlike earlier confrontations mostly limited to border skirmishes, the recent tensions extended into urban areas. “There is a relative calm on the borders now, but tension in the cities has increased. In the future, conflict will not remain restricted to specific areas,” he warned.
Current State of India-Pakistan Relations
Highlighting the lack of structured channels for dispute resolution, Gen Shamshad remarked, “We rely solely on the DGMO (Director General Military Operations) hotline for emergency communication.” He described this arrangement as insufficient for managing high-intensity crises.
Regional Extremism and Limited International Role
Gen Shamshad also cautioned about the rise of extremism affecting the conflict dynamics. “When one is dealing with an extremist mindset, the window for international intervention narrows considerably,” he noted. He acknowledged that while “the United States and a few others did step in,” such opportunities have become “very limited.”
Historical Context
The India-Pakistan relationship has long been marked by conflict, especially over Jammu and Kashmir. Both countries claim a desire for peace, yet cross-border incidents and diplomatic stand-offs persist. The last significant escalation occurred in 2019 after the Pulwama attack and subsequent airstrikes.
